In memoriam: Maxine Thurston was Otter Valley teacher

Maxine Esther Thurston, age 81, died June 13, 2013, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Mrs. Thurston was born in Andover, Maine on Dec. 9, 1931. She was the daughter of Everett and Elsie (Sedgeley) Dresser. She was graduated as one of the first women to earn a degree in business administration, from the University of Maine, class of 1953. She married Harmon Franklin Thurston in 1954. In 1958, the couple moved to Brandon.

Maxine had been a teacher at Otter Valley Union High School for several years in the 1960s. In the early 1970s she ran a local day care center on Champlain Street. She and her husband owned and operated New England Woodcraft in Forestdale and Brandon. She was actively involved in many volunteer organizations over the years including; the League of Women Voters, Hospice and the Brandon Food Shelf.

Mrs. Thurston was member of the Brandon United Methodist Church.

Surviving is her husband Harmon Thurston of Brandon, son Lee and his wife Susan of California, daughter Lynn Thurston and her partner Janice Morong of maine, son Charles Thurston and his wife Martha of Brandon and son Jeff Thurston and his wife Michele of Whiting, seven grandchildren, and sisters Joyce Birch and Frances Kerchener.

A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Friends paid their respects to the family June 16 at the Brandon Inn, where memories were shared.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made, in her memory to the Brandon Area Food Shelf, P.O. Box 345, Brandon, Vt., 05733.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.